Central Sierras on Outdoorwire.com

---Sierra National Forest------------------------------

Trail Rating: 4WD easy to extreme
New or Experienced Driver
various trails
various levels of expertise
Forest Scenery, Meadows, Rivers, Lakes

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Sierra National Forest (click to enlarge)

With 63 campgrounds, 11 reservoirs and lakes, five wilderness areas and hundreds of miles of hiking, horse, and off-road vehicle trails, the Sierra National Forest, located east of Fresno, California, is a popular area for outdoor recreation. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, boating, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and camping.

The campgrounds get very busy during the summer, and reservations are recommended. Click here for more information.

12 off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes have been designated within the Sierra National Forest. Ranging in length from 1.5 to 30 miles and located at elevations of 1,700 to 10,000 feet, all OHV routes are closed after deer hunting season (which usually begins in late August) to prevent erosion that might occur during wet weather.

Trails:

Off State Highway 168 (Shaver Lake area)

Red Lake/Coyote Lake OHV Route and the

West Lake/Strawberry Lake OHV Route

Both routes lead to pristine, high-country lakes on the edge of the Dinkey Creek Wilderness Area.

East of State Highway 168 on Forest Service Road 8S10, both roads fork off in different directions. The entire length of the Red/Coyote Lake route is 3.5 miles and is rated for short wheel base vehicles and experienced drivers; travel becomes more difficult beyond Red Lake. The West/Strawberry Lake route is rated as easier.

For more information on the West Lake/Strawberry Lake route, click here.

Off Dinkey Creek Road (east of Shaver Lake)

Brewer OHV Route

Good fishing and great mountain scenery - the 3.5 mile road to Brewer Lake is nearly wilderness. Located off Rock Creek Road, Brewer is an easy wheel and rated for beginners. The route offers diverse terrain without too many difficulties. The route "drops off" the ridge and stops short of the lake. Many campsites are dispersed along the lakeshore. Click here for more information.

Bald Mountain OHV Route

Another easy ride is the 3 mile long Bald Mountain climb. Located off Rock Creek Road, the trail leads to the abandoned Bald Mountain Lookout Station.

Swamp Lake OHV Route

If you're looking for action, this is your road. A ball-bearing hillclimb, narrow ledges, rocks and boulders - this trail has it all, and some great fishing along the way. Rated for short wheel base vehicles, experienced drivers only -- though I took a fullsize Bronco most (but not all) of the way.

There are two ways in to Swamp: either through Exchequer Meadow or Willow Meadow west of Dinkey Creek. The Willow Meadow route is 11 miles long, and only short wheel base vehicles can get very far on this trail.

Taking the route from Exchequer Meadow is 7 miles, passes Hatch, Mud and Grouse Lakes, and while it is rated for short wheel base only, a good sport utility with a good driver can make it to Mud lake. This trail is awesome to photographers; the canyons of the Kings River to the south are magnificent.

click here for more information.

Dusy/Ershim OHV Route

This one is the king, 30 miles and two or three days of pure fun. The Dusy/Ershim route is a corridor between two wilderness areas, and definitely only for experienced drivers in lifted, locked short wheel base vehicles.

The traditional trailhead begins at Courtright Reservoir. Three miles in is Voyager Rock Campground. Most people take a minimum of two days to travel its entire length to Kaiser Pass Road, above Huntington Lake.

click here for more information.

Spanish OHV Route

This trail is home to a famous landmark: Radiator Rock. Here, many a copper coil has been hashed and smashed, humbling its owner. Spanish is another short wheel base, experienced driver only trail, and even though it is only 4.5 miles, it's an unforgettable journey. The trailhead begins below Wishon Dam, amd ends at the John Muir Wilderness.

click here for more information.

Off highways 41 and 49 (Oakhurst and points north)

Hite Cove OHV Route

This 5-mile cliffhanger is a 2,200 foot drop from the mountains to the Merced river, with some really fine examples of poison oak along the way.

Star Lakes OHV Route

Long wheelbase vehicles are not recommended for this difficult 2.2 mile route that brings the four-wheeler within a 10-minute walk of Star Lakes. Elevations range from 7,200 to 8,400 feet. Located approximately 14 miles off State Highway 41, east of Fish Camp.

Iron Lakes OHV Route

Sheer cliffs, rocky ridges and forests make this 1.5 mile route a challenge to experienced drivers. If you're here to fish, you'll have a half-mile walk to the lake because the trail stops short of the lakeshore. Located 16 miles from State Highway 41 on Jackson Road.

Shuteye Peak OHV Route

Located off Central Camp Road and Forest Service Road 6S59, above Bass Lake, this trail is a 2 mile drive, an easy wheel that leads to the Shuteye Peak Permanent Lookout Station at 8,351 feet.

Green and Cattle Mountain OHV Route

An easy, two mile route that borders the Ansel Adams Wilderness, located near the Clover Meadow Forest Station off Beasore Road. Elevations range from 5,000 to 7,500 feet and it is a popular deer hunting destination.

For more information and detailed maps of the Sierra National Forest, contact:

Sierra National Forest

600 Tollhouse Road

Clovis, California 93611-0532

Telephone: (559)297-0706 (hint: press 0 to talk to a live person)